LOS ANGELES — Pete Davidson has revealed how the intense media scrutiny and sexualization he faced wore down his “BDE” image and affected him personally. Speaking on The Breakfast Club, the former Saturday Night Live star expressed embarrassment over how tabloids overshadowed his career achievements with relentless focus on his private life.
From SNL Rise to Tabloid Headlines
Davidson joined SNL in 2014 at just 20 years old and spent eight seasons on the sketch show, returning as host in 2023 after leaving in 2022. Throughout his time there, his relationships attracted more publicity than his comedic work, with the spotlight often on his high-profile romances rather than his performances.
“I brought a lot of pop culture into [SNL], like, I made it sort of like tabloid-y, like trendy thing unintentionally. … No one talked about any work I was doing,”
the 31-year-old said.
“They were just like, ‘Oh, that’s the f— stick,’”
Davidson added, highlighting how the public narrowly defined his persona.
Notable Relationships That Shaped Public Perception
Davidson’s dating history includes notable names such as Ariana Grande, Kate Beckinsale, Kaia Gerber, Madelyn Cline, and Kim Kardashian. His relationships with Grande and Kardashian drew considerable attention. Grande indirectly referenced his much-discussed “big d— energy,” while Kardashian openly admitted she was interested during her divorce from rapper Ye, who reportedly disapproved of their involvement. The nickname “BDE” became synonymous with Davidson’s image in the media.
The Challenges of Sexualization and Personal Impact
Davidson addressed the double standard in how male and female celebrities are sexualized. He said,
“I don’t want to victimize myself in any way because I’m cool, but the sexualization of me, if that was a girl, you know, [there would] be a march for it.”
This scrutiny affected his personal life profoundly, leaving him feeling sad about the way his romantic history was sensationalized over his talents and career.
Upcoming Fatherhood and Personal Milestones
Recently, Davidson and his current girlfriend, British model and actress Elsie Hewitt, shared news that they are expecting their first child. Hewitt posted images of the ultrasound and the scan, humorously captioning the post:
“welp now everyone knows we had sex.”
This new chapter represents a significant shift for Davidson amid his complicated public narrative.
Understanding the Broader Impact of Media on Celebrity Identity
The media’s overwhelming focus on Pete Davidson’s “BDE” reputation and sexualized image has evidently taken a toll on his emotional well-being and affected how his work is perceived. As he moves into fatherhood and continues his career, the challenge remains for the public and press alike to recognize the full person behind the tabloid headlines. Davidson’s experience sheds light on the pressures faced by celebrities under relentless media scrutiny and the need for greater empathy in how personal lives are portrayed.
